A/CPB

Answers From The Loon Expert

Dr. F.G. Irwin

Q. Our question about the loon is: how far(long) can they fly at one period
of time?

A. To my knowledge there is no definitive information on how far
loons fly without stopping. They have been clocked at up to 90 miles
per hour and we know that they migrate considerable distances ( such
as Wisconsin to Florida) but they do stop en route to feed and rest.
Amanda Stearns
Jefferson-Scranton Middle Schoolgerry_stein@qmail.jefferson-scranton.k12.ia.us

From: FLORIDA

Q. What is the life spand of the common loon?

A. We believe that loons live to about 20-25 years although there
are many possible causes of death at earlier ages. Until recent
years, it has been difficult to track individual loons and determine
ages because we had no way to capture and mark birds. David Evers, a
loon researcher who was working in Upper Michigan in the late 1980's
and early 1990's developed a capture and banding technique which has
allowed us to color mark and band loons. We hope to have more
information on ages of birds as our marked birds are observed or
collected after death.

Q. How far does the common loon migrate and where does it go in the
spring and fall? Also, what habitats are they usually found in?

A. Common loons migrate from their summer nesting habitats (on
inland freshwater lakes) to wintering grounds on the oceans.
Although individual birds may take different routes, in general loons
in the northeastern U.S. (Maine, New Hampshire, etc.) migrate to the
northern coasts of the Atlantic Ocean. Loons from the Upper Midwest
(Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota) migrate through the Great Lakes to
the Atlantic ocean or down the Mississippi Flyway to the Gulf of
Mexico. Loons on the west coast migrate west to the Pacific Ocean.
Loons from Canada also follow a variety of routes to the oceans. In
the spring, loons return to nesting lakes which are typically clear
clean lakes in northern states or Canada. They require adequate fish
populations, undisturbed shorelines for nesting locations and quiet
bays for chick rearing.

Q. What does their diet consists of?

A: Loons primarily eat fish The average prey size is about 5-7
inches but they can eat much larger fish as well. Their favorite
food items include perch, suckers, bullheads, sunfish, and minnows.
They also eat some amphibians, crustaceans, and invertebrates.
Largo High Schoolshapiroa@concentric.net

From: MINNESOTA

Q. How do you get tags on the loons to track them? Seth

A: In order to band loons, you must of course be able to capture and
handle the birds. The method that researchers are using now is to go
out at night with a small boat and outboard motor. The boat holds
three people to run a large light, a tape recorder, and a big fish
net. In the spring when the loons have chicks you can lure the adult
birds near the boat by playing a loon call. When the loons come to
investigate the "strange bird" on their lake you shine the light in
their eyes and slowly motor up to the bird. Then you dip the net
under the bird and pick it up into the boat. We then take the loon
back to shore and put metal Fish and Wildlife Service bands on their
led (with an identification number) using a pliers. We also put
colored leg bands on the bird so we can see them from a distance and
identify which bird it is without having to capture them again. For
example we might mark a bird with a red band over blue band on the
left leg. This marking method has been very successful and safe for
the loons as well.

Q. Why do loons have to run across the water to fly? Mario

A: Loons are a relatively heavy bird because their bodies are
designed for diving. They have nearly solid bones while most other
birds have hollow bones. While their weight is helpful in swimming
and diving it makes it hard for them to take off and fly. For this
reason they need to run on the water, somewhat like a airplane taking
off on a runway.

Q. Why do the young loons fight? Kyle

A: Young loons fight to establish a "pecking order" or dominance
between the chicks. Loon chicks hatch 24 hours apart and often the
first chick to hatch is slightly bigger and is dominant. This means
that when the parents bring food the bigger chick is more likely to
get fed. While this may seem cruel to the smaller "brother or
sister" it is a survival mechanism. If the loon parents don't bring
enough food for both chicks the larger dominant chick is likely to
survive rather than both chicks being weaker and more vulnerable.
Belle Plaine 0716bpel@informns.k12.mn.us

From: VERMONT

Q. If you were able to take care of a loon with permission, would you be
allowed to try to tame it? And if so, would it let you touch it? Erica

A: There are a few people who have kept loons in captivity. Mostly
loons are "taken care of" at animal rehabilitation centers if they
have been injured or are sick. These birds are treated and the goal
is to release them to the wild again. The Minnesota Zoo has had the
most intensive loon rearing program. They raised several loon
chicks but were not able to keep the young bird alive to adulthood.
Loons do not appear to do well in captivity. There are also a few
stories of people who have "tamed " loons on their lake. This is an
unusual situation and in the few instances it has occurred the loons
are not tame enough to be touched.

Q. Where can you find loons in the U.S.? Autumn

A: Most nesting loons in the U.S. are found in Minnesota, Maine,
Wisconsin, Michigan, Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, New Hampshire,
Montana, Idaho and Washington State. The majority are found in
Minnesota, Maine and Wisconsin. In the winter and during migration
you can find loons along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts as well as
on inland lakes along migration routes. For example, Walker Lake in
Nevada has a large number of loons during parts of the winter.

Q. How long can loons stay underwater? Matt D.

A. The average length of a loon dive is about one minute but they have
been recorded underwater for 10 to 15 minutes. This however was when
the loon was disturbed and was extreme.
Academy Schoolmichelle_menegaz@academy.vegs.together.org

From: WISCONSIN

Q. Do Loons have the same mate from year to year?

A. Loons are actually more attached to their nesting lake than to a
specific loon partner. In the past many people and researchers
believed that loons mated for life, but recent studies have shown
that loons do switch partners from year to year. In fact, Dr. Walter
Piper has been studying loons in the Rhinelander, Wisconsin area and
has found that loons even switch mated within nesting seasons. For
example, if the loon pair's first nest fails, the female loon may
renest with another adult male bird the same season.

Q. How many baby loons do they have?

A. In general, loons lay 1-2 eggs per pair and hatch 1-2 chicks. It is
very rare to have three eggs or chicks. In Wisconsin the average
production of chicks is about .7 chicks per pair.

Q. How long does the average loan live?

A: See answer above.

Q. How do loons mate?

A: Loons usually mate on the nest site. It is a quick process. The
male loon will approach the nest site and give a quiet call. If the
female is interested, she will approach and climb onto the nest. The
the male will climb on top of her and copulation occurs. It only
takes a few moments and then he drops into the water. They sometimes
call after copulation.

Q. Why do they have red eyes?

A: While no one is exactly sure why loons have red eyes it is thought
that the red coloration is part of their breeding plummage and is an
attraction for mating. Loons molt their "nuptual plummage" with the
blakc and white markings in winter. Their eyes also fade to a brown
color at that time.

Q. What is the primary diet?

A: see above.

Q. Do the white spots mean something?

A: The white and black plummage of loons is their breeding plummage.
In winter loons molt to a dull grey and white plummage which does
not have the elaborate patterns of summer. Immature loons are also
this dull grey and white color. The striking breeding plummage is
like that of many other spring bird plummages (such as the colors
of warblers) and is thought to be a strategy for attracting a mate.

Q. Do they see underwater well?

A: Loons are visual feeders which means that they need to see their
underwater prey to be able to capture it. For this reason they need
fairly good vision and clear water. Loons have difficulty capturing
prey on lakes with heavy algae blooms or very dark staining. But
they seem to be able to live in stained lakes (such as bog lakes)
more easily than on polluted lakes where algae and sediments cloud
their vision.
Laona High School
Biology Class
Laona, Wisconsin
54541